This book; as the title indicated was the life story of the author; HRH Sunita Devee, the late Maharani of Cooch Beehar; consort to Maharajah Nripendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur. Personally i welcomed this book to satisfy my curiosity for knowledge of Royal court of India; it customs and the way of thinking straight from the personage involved rather than foreign author.

Her father was the founder of Bramo religion who setting up Native Ladies Founding School. ( her dad really endorsing coed edu). Her mother, a devoted housewife who leaved her high caste to marry her father. Her sister was Maharani of Mourbhan. Her sister & son in law were englishwoman/man.

Her marriage to Maharajah at the age of 14 came about after Empire & Cooch Behar official had to fulfill Dowager Maharani condition to grant their wish to enroll HRH in England to futher studies. That condition was he had to go as married man. After all overseas education was unheard, scarcely there in India that time.

After much persuasion & prayers, her father accept the proposal of goverment on getting her daughter hand.

Maharani add up some spice and flavour to this book by adding up some
- legend & tales of India
- customs of natives

if you expect this book to tell you about inside of courts; yes its there. Plus her view of fellow rulers and Viceroy & Vicerine of India. Also her story of courts of England. ( Queen Victoria was godmother to her 3rd son Victor)

Overall i could see that Maharani was a liberal person yet conservative when circumstanves arrived.

I would described this book had been written in storytelling way. Not too heavy for you to absorb; some native story in relevance of flow to ease & lightened you. Also some of her critical thinking when she thaught deserved to be spoken (eg when she feel her consort deserve royal order during HM Queen 50th jubilee); she shared her thoughts to justify that. Believed me you are not reading memoir of some ignorant madame. She was a contemporary & modern person.


Some other autobio much reserved their real opinion or censured the truth. Luckily this one is balanced that make it worthwhile reading.